Saturday, 26 December 2015

Top Beauty and Makeup Products of 2015

Reading people's yearly favourites often leaves me with a long wishlist. I know that if someone has loved a product for a whole 12 months, it must be amazing, especially because us bloggers switch products repeatedly. These are my 2015 loves, I've always gone back to them and would repurchase each one of them in a heartbeat.

Best Foundation: L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation

After many years, I have finally stepped away from MAC’s Studio Fix and replaced it with L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation. It’s not as heavy as it’s more expensive counterpart, so much nicer to wear on the skin. They both have a matte finish and longevity when it comes to letting shine through. Get yourself a tube!

Best Concealer: L.A Girl Pro Conceal

If you think Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer is a full coverage, you need to try L.A Girl’s alternative. This has a small bristle brush applicator which means you can ‘paint’ it on like war paint – a triangle shape under your eyes, under the contour to make it pop and around the brows to keep them sharp. I would recommend using a Beauty Blender with this as it is very thick, but once blended say goodbye to those eye bags.

Best Powder: Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder

I’ve been through about 4 or 5 of these, I used to love the Rimmel Stay Matte, but the Soap and Glory one has a finer texture of powder. It’s not at all cakey and helps makeup stay shine free for longer.

Best Blusher: Max Factor Crème Puff Blush

A dupe for the Hourglass blushes apparently, and a favourite of mine. This baked blush adds a lovely subtle sheen, it adds life after I’ve applied my matte foundation base. A beautiful budget option, in lots of lovely shades.

Best Primer: Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Primer

I try and avoid using silicone feeling primers on a daily basis, I use this Soap and Glory one, which feels like a gel/cream when you apply it. It’s a new addition to their ‘One Heck of a Blot’ line and it doesn’t disappoint.

Best Contour: NYX Blush in Taupe

Even though it’s labelled as a blush, this shade is perfect for contour. It’s a brown with a touch of grey, an ideal shade to create shadows in the hollows of your cheeks. It’s not too orange and it leaves me sculpted, it’s a must on a night out for me.

Best Highlighter: The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer

Adored by many, this is a pot of gold when it comes to highlight. The payoff is insane, it’s a pearly-gold, which would suit most skin tones.

Best Mascara: Makeup Forever Smoky Lash Mascara

I can’t tell you how happy I am that MUFE products are now sold in the UK. I used to go on holiday within Europe and stock pile them in Sephora, I’m talking buying 6 mascaras at one time to last me until we went on holiday again. This is a high impact mascara that doesn’t smudge or flake, I love you mascara, I do.

Best Brow Product: Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil

Another Soap and Glory product that I can’t live without, I ALWAYS have a backup, (there was one time where I drew one eyebrow on and didn’t have enough product left for the other, I’ll never be caught short again.) It has a thin nib which means you can create precise strokes to mimic hair.

Best Eyeshadow Stick: Kiko Eyeshadow Stick

I can’t fault Kiko on their different eyeshadow formulas, these sticks are by far my favourites though. They are super easy to blend and do not crease. This particular shade, Rosy Brown is a dupe of Misty Rock, a fraction of the price!

Best Cream Eyeshadow: MAC Paint Point in Groundwork

Ok, I’m cheating a little with two creams technically, but I couldn’t not mention this staple from my makeup bag. There is something about this shade that makes my green eyes pop, it’s a one wash of colour wonder.

Best Powder Eyeshadows: Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

A very recent purchase for me, but they have knocked MAC and Urban Decay off the top spots. I wish I’d never wasted money on MAC eyeshadows, these are so buttery and pigmented, unlike the chunky formula produced from MAC. You can now buy Makeup Geek via Beauty Bay.

Best Liquid Eyeliner: DHC Liquid Liner

I’m so impressed with this eyeliner, it’s a very opaque black that doesn’t budge. It also has a spring cap so you have to click it in properly to put the lid back on, saving it from drying up. Mine has lasted me ages but I will be repurchasing.

Best Lip Liner: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk

This is going to be in everyone’s favourites this year, it’s a perfect pink. I use it to ever so slightly over line my lips, they just look that little more plumped. I’d love lip fillers, but until then I’m counting on you Charlotte.

Best Everyday Lip Product – Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm

This is ‘throw it on and go’ product, it’s a balmy lip colour that just glides onto the lips. It keeps them hydrated and adds a slight colour.

Best Statement Lipstick – MAC Russian Red Lipstick

I’m still a big fan of MAC lip colours, and Russian Red doesn’t disappoint. It’s a lovely matte shade that lasts on the lips. I can wear it on a night out and it will hardly budge. I’m yet to try Lady Danger or Ruby Woo, they are next on the list.

Best Makeup Tool: Beauty Blender
As soon as I used the beauty blender for foundation, I knew I couldn't go back to using brushes for foundation. When I have tried a brush, it's streaky and uneven but the Beauty Blender blurs any edges and gives you a flawless finish. You need one!

9 comments

That loreal foundation has been my best find of the year, its the only foundation that doesn't vanish on my by lunchtime! I'm definitely going to have to go and check out some of your other recommendations now too :)Hannah / Hannah Bakes Things

I think my favourite find of this year has been urban decay's setting spray. I'm blessed with skin that gets undetectable dry and flaky patches, which become incredibly detectable half way through a days foundation! The setting spray is the only thing which seems to save me, primer be damned.

I really adore the Loreal foundation. I finished a bottle and have not bought another one yet. I liked the NYX blushes, but have not tried that particular color. I should look for it next time I see NYX at the store.

Gorgeous main photo lovely! I’m really intrigued by the S&G Primer and I think I will need to pick this up :) Taupe is another product I’m lusting after and will probably be purchasing once I have used my Laguna bronzer :)